A: I am currently working on the completion of a series that I started working on a few years ago. However, it was only recently that I reached a conceptual solution for this series.

Q: What materials are you using in your current artworks? Are the materials you are using new materials or materials you have used in the past?

A: In my current artworks, I use the same materials, that is, ink, watercolor and pencil.

Q: Are you working on a new series? What is the name of the series? How is it different from the previous series you worked on?

A: Yes, I started working on a new series. My new series, as well as my other series, have no names. This is because I would like the viewer to have no preconceptions when they view my artworks. In this new series, I use different materials, and the content is also different. I am using a dense grey cardboard and acrylic paint as a base. I decided to use these materials as a result of experimenting. It is difficult to explain the content of this new series because it is still in the works; the only thing that I can say is that it is more picturesque than my previous artworks.

Q: As the year-end is approaching, how do you think the year 2015 has been for you in terms of your art career and goals? What are your goals for 2016?

A: In 2015, I mainly completed the series I had already started working on. This year, I feel that I have experimented more compared to other years. For 2016, I have one goal: Just to create.

Q: Do you feel that your artwork style has changed over the years, and if so, why?

A: It is hard for me to judge whether my artwork style has changed over the years. I think that other people can see the change in my artwork style better than myself.

Rupert Piggott’s new series, “POLYCHROMATIC VISIONS”, aims to explore the use of color and not use representational elements to create compositions. Following are several exquisite artworks from this series.

Images above and below: “P.V., Non-ID-000369” (including images of materials used for this artwork), 2015, by Rupert Piggott

Acrylic paint ‘chips’ were used for this artwork. In the process of completing artworks, Rupert is often left with unused paint. This dried paint was collected from his palette, combined into cubes with resin, and mounted on a wooden panel with a final coat of resin.

Image below: “P.V., Non-ID-000639”, 2015, by Rupert Piggott

These panels, each painted individually and coated with resin, can be displayed with different spacing arrangements, which change the feel of them collectively, and the space between each panel becomes part of the composition. They can also be hung horizontally, and can also be shuffled around, creating entirely different compositions. The panels are 5 inches x 72 inches and can be produced in a variety of sizes.

Presently, I spend most of my time on commissions, which allow me to fund other works. I am also producing new works with resin, Perspex and some works with torn and ripped canvas.

How do you like to work? Do you like to produce artworks at a particular place or time?

I work mostly at my studio, and work any time: day or night. Recently, I have done a few “Artist in action” live paintings for one of our local galleries here in Barbados.

Do you think your artworks have changed over the years, and if so, how and why?

Yes, my works have changed over the years. Mostly the changes have happened as a result of life experiences and my growth spiritually. Additionally, I feel that my creativity and inspiration develops with the discovery and use of unusual materials and techniques. Materials I have used or experimented with are mostly for creating a texture, such as artworks using sand, card and wood chips, fiberglass fibers and coconut fiber, tree branches and gold leaf. Also, an unusual technique I have used is, instead of finishing with varnish I used it as a medium.

What are your goals as an artist? What would you like to accomplish?

I have three goals:

Firstly, constant reinvention and production of quality works;

Secondly, to produce an exhibition in Japan; and

Thirdly, a long term goal I have is: I have been seeking investors to assist with providing a home for our national art collection in Barbados; I envision that this space would also have a gallery and studio spaces for artists of all genres and nationalities.

I am currently working on artworks relating to a total of four different series, and in two of the series, I use unordinary watercolor. I am also experimenting with colors, using colored pencils. My initial choice of materials is spontaneous, but in the same series, I continue using the same materials. I often work on different series at the same time, and I do not have a specific pattern as to when I begin a new series.

Is there a particular place you like to be when you paint, or a particular time of the day that you like to produce your artworks? What would you say your overall working style is like?

I am not tied to a particular place. Now I work from home, mostly at nights. Working at nights is more of a habit because when I was an architect, I had to make time to paint while working full time as an architect. In terms of my working style, since my creative energy comes from internal influences, I prefer to work alone without any audience.

*Image above: Photo of Oleg Berezutskiy creating his artwork.

How does a typical day go for you?

My typical day goes differently for me. I do not have a daily and weekly schedule. Everything changes, and I am flexible with how my day goes. However, all my mornings start the same. Every morning I start with meditation.

Does the change of seasons or travelling in any way affect your artworks? Do you feel that your painting style has changed over the years?

Change of seasons does not affect my artworks. Sometimes I like to travel, and my travels can affect the experimental part of my creative process. The only thing that can affect my painting process itself is, if I could become as hollow as a bamboo: What I mean by this is, because my artworks are not driven by a theme or my will, if my mind could become as hollow as the inside of a bamboo, it would help me to create freely, with no thoughts and feelings. As for my painting style, yes, it has changed over the years. My artworks have become calmer and meditative.

Normally, I work in my studio, which is on the ground floor of my house. It’s the place where I work practically all year. But in the summer, I also like working outdoors, in the terrace. It’s very nice working with natural light, without electric lights; and in the hottest days, it’s very pleasantly cool.
I don’t have a favorite time to paint, but I usually always paint by the afternoon, and until 9:30 PM.

*Image: Photo of José Antonio Sorolla Gallén’s studio.

Where do you think your inspiration comes from?

About the inspiration, I believe more in the constancy in work than inspiration. If the artist works regularly, it is easier for inspiration to come.
Other times a visual inspiration can strongly seize me. For example I remember how I was captured (especially by the color) when I saw the lifeguards on the beach, with flags waving in the wind (the “Flags” series was born here).
My favorite beach is Benicàssim, perhaps because I visited there for many years.
Also, normally, I like to have the opinion of my family. I always ask them. I’m very critical with my work and I’m always doubting.

*Image: Photo of José Antonio Sorolla Gallén’s studio.

Where would you say you are currently, and what are your goals for the year 2015?

I think that 2014 has been a very positive year for my art. Due to my type of paint, I don’t make too many paintings a year. I’m finishing some works from my current series, some of which I had begun a year ago. I want to return to the landscape, but in large formats (I think these works can become somewhat special landscapes.) For 2015, I want to work at my best, quietly, unhurried.

Do you have a message to our readers?

I would be very glad if my work appeals to people. After finishing the paintings, if they connect with people, it would be perfect.